Sweet Baked Pears

These fancy baked pears turn simple fruit into an impressive starter or sweet finish with hardly any work. The mix of soft, warm pears with tangy feta and sweet-sour cranberries hits all the right notes – your friends will think you spent ages in the kitchen!

I first brought these baked pears to a family Christmas party when I needed something quick but fancy-looking. Everyone raved about them so much that now they're my go-to dish whenever I want to make meals feel special without spending forever cooking.

Ingredients

• 4 ripe but firm pears: Bosc or Anjou work best since they don't turn mushy when heated
• 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese: Its salty bite works magic against the pears' sweetness
• 1/4 cup dried cranberries, chopped: Brings tartness and pretty red specks
• 2 tablespoons honey: Try something from nearby farms for better taste
• 1 tablespoon olive oil: Pick a nice extra virgin for tastier results
• 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves: Don't swap for dried if you can help it
• Salt and pepper to taste: A tiny bit makes everything else pop
• Optional chopped walnuts for garnish: Gives a nice crunch and earthy flavor

Step-by-Step Instructions

Preheat the Oven:

Turn your oven to 375°F and let it warm up completely while getting the pears ready. This helps cook everything evenly and browns the fruit nicely.

Prepare the Pears:

Pick pears that give just a little when squeezed and cut them down the middle lengthwise. Grab a small spoon or melon baller and scoop out the seeds and core, making a little hollow in each half. Try to keep the stems on for a prettier look.

Arrange and Fill:

Set your pear halves cut-side up in a baking dish where they fit snugly together. Brush each with a bit of olive oil. Put equal amounts of feta into each pear's hollow and sprinkle cranberries on top, pressing down gently so they stay put.

Bake to Perfection:

Put the dish in your hot oven for about 15-20 minutes. You want the pears soft but not falling apart. The feta should get warm and slightly melty but still keep some shape.

Finish with Flavors:

Take the pears out once they feel tender when poked with a fork. Right away, drizzle honey over each one so it melts into the warm cheese. Scatter fresh thyme on top with just a tiny bit of salt and some black pepper to bring out all the tastes.

Garnish and Serve:

If you want, scatter some chopped walnuts over each pear for extra crunch and flavor. Serve them right away while they're still warm – that's when the combo of hot pears and soft cheese tastes best.

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What really makes this dish special is using great pears. Once I made it with pears my neighbor had picked that very morning, and wow – the taste was unbelievable. There's something amazing about how baking makes a really good pear taste even sweeter.

Selecting the Perfect Pears

Everything about this dish depends on picking the right fruit. Go for pears that feel slightly soft when you press them but aren't mushy. Bosc pears keep their shape when baked and have a nice hint of spice in their flavor. Anjou pears get juicier and sweeter when cooked. Don't use Bartlett pears though – they get too soft in the oven. You want fruit that's ripe enough to taste good but firm enough not to collapse during baking.

Make-Ahead Options

This dish is great for parties because you can get it ready early. You can prep everything up to the baking part and keep it in the fridge, covered, for up to 8 hours. Just let the pears sit out for about 30 minutes before you bake them. Or if you need to work even further ahead, you can bake them earlier in the day, then warm them up at 300°F for about 10 minutes right before serving, and finish with the honey and herbs. The flavors actually get better when they hang out together for a bit.

Seasonal Variations

Though cranberries and feta work great, you can switch things up depending on the time of year. In summer, try using blueberries instead of cranberries and swap thyme for basil. During fall, mix in diced apples and cinnamon, using blue cheese rather than feta. For winter parties, sprinkle some pomegranate seeds on top for pretty color and juicy pops of flavor. The basic idea works all year – just use whatever fruits and herbs are freshest each season.

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Serve these pretty pears while they're still warm so everyone can enjoy all the different textures and tastes – I guarantee your guests will be asking how you made them!

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Is there another cheese I can use?

Definitely! If you don’t have feta, swap in goat cheese or try blue cheese for a bold flavor kick.

→ No cranberries? What now?

You can switch cranberries for dried raisins, cherries, or chopped apricots if needed.

→ Can I prep this early?

Make the pears and filling ahead, but bake them fresh so they stay just-right in texture.

→ What else works for garnish?

Walnuts are awesome, but pistachios, pecans, or granola also taste great on top.

→ How do I make this vegan?

Use a non-dairy cheese and swap honey for agave syrup to make it completely plant-based.

→ What goes well with this?

Pair these baked pears with a bit of Greek yogurt, vanilla ice cream, or a crisp green salad for balance.